In this episode of Launchbase, John Radford sits down with Griffin Parry, founder and CEO of M3ter and former co-founder of Gamesparks (acquired by Amazon), to explore the realities of scaling a SaaS startup in a fast-changing market. Griffin shares his journey from corporate life to building, exiting, and starting again.  We explore lessons from Gamesparks and how they’re influencing his latest venture, M3ter. The conversation covers: Why usage-based pricing is reshaping SaaS business models How Griffin approached raising capital with a proven track record The key to building a go-to-market strategy that actually works How to listen for true customer pain points Achieving product-market fit and keeping churn low What it’s like to sell a startup to Amazon The emotional and strategic shift from exiting to starting again If you're a SaaS founder thinking about pricing models, investor conversations, or long-term product-market fit this one’s for you.  

In this episode of Launch Base, host John Radford interviews Jack Henderson, a serial entrepreneur who has successfully built and scaled multiple ventures in the healthcare sector without initial investment. Jack shares his journey from medical recruitment to founding KPI Health, discussing the challenges of cash flow management, the importance of having the right team, and the transition from founder to CEO. He also talks about his current ventures in Dubai, the launch of KMO and Flexo, and his experiences as an angel investor in healthcare startups. Jack emphasises the significance of understanding customer needs and the value of believing in oneself as a founder.   Takeaways Jack Henderson is a serial entrepreneur focused on healthcare. He bootstrapped KPI Health to over £20 million in revenue. Cash flow management is crucial for startup success. Building a strong team is essential for growth. Understanding customer needs is key to product development. Jack transitioned from founder to CEO with a focus on processes. He launched tech ventures in Dubai to access a broader talent pool.

In this episode, John Radford sits down with Alistair Russell, investor at Venrex, to unpack the realities of startup fundraising, the evolving nature of venture capital, and the key differences between the UK and US tech ecosystems. Alistair shares his personal journey into VC, lessons learned from early bets, and what separates average startups from exceptional ones. From the importance of product-market fit and customer feedback, to why technology alone isn’t enough—this conversation is packed with insights for founders, startup operators, and anyone navigating the world of early-stage investment. Whether you're raising your first round, refining your pitch, or exploring transatlantic growth, this episode is a masterclass in modern venture capital strategy.

In this episode, John Radford interviews Tony Kula, a seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor, discussing the intricacies of early-stage B2B SaaS investing. They explore the importance of founder characteristics, the balance between bootstrapping and seeking funding, common mistakes made by founders, and the role of an angel investor. Tony shares insights from his investment journey, emphasizing the significance of authenticity and the long-term nature of investor-founder relationships. takeaways Angel investing is a blend of art and science. The founder's characteristics are crucial for investment decisions. Bootstrapping can be a viable path for startups. Investors should focus on capital efficiency and MRR growth. Common mistakes include creating fake urgency and overselling. Authenticity in storytelling is vital for founders. Investors often look for founder-investor fit. Sales issues are a common challenge for startups. Time is often underestimated in the startup journey. Angel investing can be rewarding and keeps investors engaged.

In this episode of Launch Base, host John Radford speaks with Phil McSweeney, an advisor and author, about the challenges founders face in scaling their businesses. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the reasons behind founder failures, and the key traits that make exceptional founders. Phil shares insights on angel investing, the significance of brand positioning, and the impact of no-code solutions on startups. The conversation culminates with a discussion of Phil's book, 'Angel Think', which offers valuable advice for founders looking to understand investor perspectives and gain a competitive edge. takeaways Founders often fail due to a lack of market fit. Storytelling is crucial for engaging investors. Execution is more important than just having an idea. Building a personal brand can help in fundraising. Determination and self-belief are key traits of successful founders. Creating a strong narrative is essential for attracting investment. Revenue generation is more important than having a perfect product. No-code solutions can help validate ideas without significant investment. Building relationships with investors before asking for money is vital. Competitive advantage comes from more than just intellectual property.

In this episode of Launchbase, host John Radford speaks with Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, a hospitality startup focused on providing digital detox experiences through off-grid cabins. Hector shares his journey from the tech industry to creating a business that encourages people to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with nature. The conversation explores the impact of digital detox on mental health and relationships, lessons learned from Hector's startup experiences, insights into fundraising, and the future vision for Unplugged as a movement promoting offline living.   Takeaways Hector transitioned from tech to hospitality to promote digital detox. Unplugged offers unique off-grid cabins for disconnection. The first day of detox can be challenging but leads to calm. Couples benefit significantly from spending time offline together. Digital distractions can hinder empathy and focus in relationships. Hector learned the importance of product focus in startups. Hiring slowly and thoughtfully is crucial for company culture. Cold outreach can be effective for fundraising if done right. Understanding funding terms is more important than the amount raised. Unplugged aims to create a cultural movement around digital detox.  

In this episode of LaunchBase, John Radford sits down with Kevin Jackson, Chairman of AI Forge, to explore what it takes to build and scale AI startups. Kevin shares his journey from advertising to AI, the mission of AI Forge, and the rigorous selection process founders must go through. They dive into the challenges and opportunities in AI, the role of resilience in entrepreneurship, and why AI is becoming as fundamental as electricity. If you're an aspiring AI founder or curious about where AI is heading, this episode is packed with insights on funding, innovation, and the future of work.    

In this episode of Launch Base, host John Radford is joined by Katie Dunn, an angel investor and startup advisor, to discuss her journey from corporate banking to the world of angel investing. They dive into the critical role of personal branding on LinkedIn, the key qualities that make a successful founder, and the evolving startup ecosystem. Katie shares valuable insights on navigating investor relationships, the significance of founder-market fit, and the growing impact of AI in investment opportunities. Tune in for practical tips on fundraising, networking, and leveraging your unique skills to succeed in the startup world. Takeaways: The importance of LinkedIn for building a personal brand and network. Insights on the transition from corporate banking to angel investing. What makes a successful founder, and why experience matters. How to effectively communicate with investors and tell your story. The evolving role of AI in investment strategies and startup success. Listen now for actionable advice on securing investment and scaling your startup!

In this episode of LaunchBase, I sit down with Dan Bowyer, partner at Super Seed, to discuss early-stage investing and why Europe’s tech scene needs a serious shift. We cover: ✅ Why Dubai’s tech hype doesn’t compare to Europe and the US model✅ How Europe can ‘Americanise’ its approach to funding and scaling✅ The importance of founder-market fit and how it drives investment decisions✅ Why personalized outreach trumps cold emails when raising capital✅ Dan’s new fund focusing on very early-stage startups and what it takes to win Dan also shares his thoughts on the differences between the European and US startup ecosystems, why second-time founders have an edge, and why having skin in the game is crucial for attracting serious investors. Tune in for insights on how to better navigate early-stage funding and take your startup to the next level.

In this episode of LaunchBase, I sit down with Kiran Mehta, a former VC turned startup advisor, to break down the biggest mistakes founders make when raising capital. We cover: ✅ Why B2B SaaS is the safer bet for UK VCs✅ What investors really want to see at pre-seed, seed, and Series A✅ The funding challenges founders are facing today—and how to navigate them✅ The real tipping point for scaling a SaaS startup✅ Common founder mistakes (and how great founders set themselves apart) Kiran also shares insights on his transition from VC to working directly with founders, why some startups struggle to raise pre-seed funding, and the importance of hiring well, proving commercial traction early, and knowing when to say no to bad deals.

In this episode of Launchbase, I sit down with Callum Woodcock, the founder & CEO of WineFi, a platform that’s transforming fine wine into an accessible investment class.   🚀 Key Highlights: How Callum went from idea to £1M+ in revenue within seven months. The power of building in public and leveraging LinkedIn for early traction. Raising £500K in an oversubscribed pre-seed round—before even having a product. Why personal brand matters for startup founders (and how Callum got his whole team posting). The mindset shift that helped him overcome rejection while fundraising.   📢 One big takeaway? Startups don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they don’t find product-market fit fast enough. WineFi nailed it early—before even launching a platform.

In this episode of Launchbase, John Radford sits down with Eddie Whittingham—ex-police officer, lawyer, and tech entrepreneur. Eddie bootstrapped The Defense Works, a cybersecurity training company, and successfully exited to Proofpoint, a NASDAQ-listed firm. Now, he’s building Ministry of Work, a premium co-working space for ambitious founders. They discuss: ✅ Bootstrapping to exit—what worked and what didn’t✅ The role of luck vs. hard work in startup success✅ Why most online training is terrible—and how Eddie made it better✅ The reality of selling a business—how Proofpoint found him through LinkedIn✅ Why founder networks matter more than ever

Jonathan Keeling has seen fundraising from all angles—helping CrowdCube raise over £1B for 1,000 startups and now scaling Haatch from £50M to £250M AUM. In this episode, we dive into the realities of startup fundraising, crowdfunding do’s and don’ts, and what investors really look for. We also explore how UK investors differ from their US counterparts, the rise of AI-powered startups, and why recycled capital is key to a thriving ecosystem. If you’re raising or investing, this one’s for you!

This week, we end off Season 1 with a bang as we sit down with Gabriela Hersham, Co-Founder and CEO of Huckletree. Huckletree is the home of conscious entrepreneurship across the UK and Ireland, providing a network of mentors, talent, investors and experts, along with the right services to help their members grow.We discuss what the future of work may look like in a post-pandemic world, the role of community in facilitating growth and avoiding the founder trap of approaching the startup as a lifestyle, rather than a stackable business. Sources:Huckletree: https://www.huckletree.com/about

With the dog days of lockdown slowly lifting, there are businesses that have built and maintained communities that have kept the world a happier place and our guests this week are one of them. BorrowMyDoggy is a digital platform that connects dog owners with trusted local people who would love to look after their dog and make it easy to arrange walks, playtime, overnight stays or holidays. Grab a coffee and sit back as we discuss all things funding and launch, the importance of building a community with your users and the importance of the pivot in accommodating platforms that rely on community building during the pandemic. Sources:Borrow My Doggy - https://cutt.ly/4x4KkPsThe Mom Test - https://cutt.ly/kx4KSVP

When it comes to developing digital products, it takes a village. And when it comes to building product for companies that strive to do good in the world, it makes the journey that much sweeter. This week at Launch Base HQ, we are joined by Rachael Box, Founder of Local Village Network (LVN). LVN are a charity dedicated to tackling network poverty and social inequality. Our sponsor Borne Agency partnered with LVN in delivering a native mobile application, connecting young people to volunteers and a world of opportunities.We touch base on the influence of tech in bridging network poverty and what that entails and the future of "tech for good." Our host discusses the importance of keeping your user in mind when it comes to designing products for charities and defining your product roadmap through user-testing sessions as your product evolves.Sources:Website: https://www.lvn.org.uk/Download the App: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/lvn/id1209440307

Different founders make different kinds of mistakes. This is where DropJaw comes in. DropJaw Ventures are a specialist business advisory firm and provide access to capital, interim management and advisory services to scale up businesses and companies in need of a turnaround.This week, we have an insightful discussion with Roy Shelton, Managing Partner at DropJaw Ventures on the challenges faced by young, emerging, scale-ups and more established companies who are driving for greater efficiency and commercialisation.We delve into:How do you assess risk management?What kind of growth levels do investors look for?Funding fatigue and how to break the funding distraction.Industries investors are excited about in 2021.DropJaw Ventures: https://www.dropjawventures.co.uk/

Execution is everything. This morning, our host is joined by Lydia Jones, Founder and CEO of Housemates. Housemates is a marketplace to discover and book student accommodation in minutes. Lydia has been featured in TechRound’s 29 under 29 for 2020 and BusinessCloud’s 35 under 35 to watch in the UK.We discuss staying curious when solving a problem through product and building a product your users didn’t know they needed. We chat about the importance of shame when it comes to your first MVP and remaining agile when finding that red hot centre when building the best value problem product.Links: https://housemates.io/

This week, we decode the role of CTO with our guest Andy Skipper, Founder and Chief CTO Coach at CTO Craft. CTO Craft’s community brings together technology leaders from across the world, from small startups to global organisations. They offer an easily digestible range of deep-dive courses and programmes to help technology leaders of all experience levels. We discuss the role of a CTO, what that entails, how CTO's can recognise how to make the transition from engineer to team leader and all the wrong ways to do agile.Sources mentioned:CTO Craft Conference: https://conference.ctocraft.com/

The terms 'Artificial Intelligence', 'Machine Learning' and 'Big Data' have been in the limelight throughout 2020 and 2021 has been no exception. Our guest this week saw this potential and their portfolio demonstrates this. This week, our host has a catch up with Mads Jensen, Managing Partner at SuperSeed. SuperSeed accelerates B2B startups in launching great AI-focused products. John picks Mad's brain on all things: Big Data and AI, what characteristics do VC's look for in a founder, the role of MVP in solving a problem, and should our politicians be listening to robots?Sources mentioned:Borne Agency - https://borneagency.com/SuperSeed - https://www.superseed.com/